Steam power plant



Oct. 22, 1929.

C. B. PAGE ET AL STEAM POWER PLANT .Filed July 5, 1927 Patented Oct. 22, 1929 Fries "CHARLES 13.: PAGE Ann WARREN DEAN neuron, or nvn rs ron, n vn Kenn n. res gn m; nAYMoNnn. WHITE, or orrrcnoo, rnnrnors rnen, n o'nronnnp wnrrn nssrenons or THREE-FOURTHS To see. W. DULAHY, on onrcnemrgtmuors may be drivenfdirectly from the high pressrEAr/r ro'wnn rnanr Application filed July 5, 1927. Serial No. 203,352.

The present invention relates to improvements f'in steam power plants, partlcularly power plants adapted for heavy duty, such 1 as automotivevehicles, rail cars, and locomotives.

'lhm'afprnnary ob ect of the present invention resides in theprovlsion of a novel steam (pawn-j plant which is efiicient and economical in operation, "which has a high as well as a flexible power capacity, and which 1s adaptabletoinany' andvariedapplications or uses.

sure steam supply line, or inwhich both consumers maybe driven on low pressure steam "from the reservoir, or in-"Which the high pres- 20 sure consumer nlay be driven from the high pressure steam supply line and the low pressure consumermay bedriven on exhaust s'teanr from the high pressure consumer stored in the reservoir, or in which either consumer may be driven alone from either source.

Furtherobjects and advantages will become apparentfas the description proceeds.-

The accompanying sketch is a diagrammatic representation of a power plant embodying the features of our invention.

lVhile the ,invention issusceptible. of various modifications and alternative constructions, we have shown in the drawing, and will herein describe 1n detail the preferred "embodiment, but it is to be understood that weldo not ,thereby intend tolimit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but 1ntend to cover all modifications and alternative constructions falling within the spirit andscope of the invention as expressed 1n the appended claims.

Referring morespecifically to the drawing, represents a boiler or generator which may be of any suitable type and which in the present instance is shown as of a drumlcss type having forced circulation. The boiler fcomprises headers 11land 12, tubes 13, and a suitable coil 14 connecting the lower ends of J theiheadersy Forced circulationin the boiler while the other softener is in use.

preferably is induced by means of a pump 15 of any suitable type This pump preferably is interposed in the connection between the header 11 and the coil 1%, and maybe driven by any suitable means (not shown). Any suitable means (not shown) may be providcd for supplyingfuel, such as fuel oil, and combustion airto the means (not shown) for heating the boiler.

Feed water is adapted to be suppliedto the boiler by a suitable pump 16 through a feed Waterline 17 which is controlled by a suitable check valve 18- for preventing water in the boiler from entering the" line. The pump 16 may be driven by any suitable-means such" as the steam engine 19. "Interposed in the feed Water line l'Tbetween the pump 16 andthe valve 18 is a coil 20 forming part of a fee-d water heater 21' for absorbing heat from exhaust steam to preheat the feed water,

and a coil 22 forming part of a heat exchanger 23 for removing superheatinthe low pressure steam and utilizing same to further preheat the feed Water. Raw feed water is stored in a suitable tank 24:, and is delivered therefrom through a pipe line 25 to the main feed'water pump 16 by anfauxiliary feed-water pump 26. The latter may be drivcnby any suitable means, but preferably is drivenby the auxih iary engine 19, the pumps 16 and 26 being connected to a drive shaft 27 common to both. Interposed in the pipe line 25 is a suitable water softening system, which in thepresent instance, comprisestwo zeolitc water softene1s2828" connected in parallel. The flow of feed water from the pump 26 through the softeners 28-28 is measured'respectively by two suitable meters 2929, and is controlled respectively by suitable valves '3031 32 and *31-32 'Cross pipe lines333l, which are connected to a drain pipe 35, are connected to opposite sides of the softeners 28- -28. The pipe lines 33-3-l between the drain pipe 35 and the softeners 2828 are provided respectively with valves Lid-36 an d 87- -37. By this construction, either or both of the softeners 28-28 may be used, and one softenermaybe flushed in either direction Feed water may be by-passed across either or both heater 40 comprises a suitable coil 41, one end of which is connected through the pipe line 42 to the exhaust of the engine 19, and the other end of which opens to the atmosphere. The capacity of the pump 26 is slightly greater than that of the pump 16 so that the feed Water delivered to the preheater 40 is in excess of that required for the boiler 10.

. This excess feed Water is drained 0E through a pipe line 43 to the feed water storage tank Steam from the boiler 10 preferably is passed through a super-heater 44 of any suitable construction. The pressure of the steam is indicated by a suitable pressure gage 45.

A relief valve 46 is provided to relieve excess pressure in the super-heater. The superheated steam normally is delivered through a pipe line 47 to a high pressure steam consumer of standard construction, such as the .high pressure cylinder 48 of a compound steam engine. The supply of steam to the prime mover 48 is .controlled by throttle valves 49- 49 interposed in the line 47.

The exhaust steam from the prime mover 48 is normally discharged through a pipe line 50 into a receiver or heat storage 51 of any suitable construction. The receiver 51 is partially filled with water for absorbing the heat in the exhaust steam. During peak loads, the heated water will give off steam in excess of the exhaust steam being delivered thereto. The desired water level may be maintained by replenishing the supply when necessary from the feed water tank ,24

- through a pipe line 51 and a suitable injector 51 Interposed in the line in the order named, are a valve 50*, a check valve 52 for preventing the flow of steam due to back pressure to theprimejmover 48, the heat exchanger 23,and a cheek'valve 53 for preventing the flow of steam from the receiver 51 into the line 50. I v

Todeliver steam from the high pressure pipe line 47 directly to the receiver 51, the pipeline 5O betweenthe exchanger 23 and the valve 52 is connected by a by-pass. pipe line 54 to the pipe line 47 at a point ahead of the valve 49. An automatic pressure relief valve 55 is interposed in the pipe line 54,

. andserves to pass steam in excess of the requirements of the prime mover 48 to the receiver 51. Y The valve 55 also can be opened and regulated manually to discharge high pressure steam from the line 47 directly to the receiver 51. This may be desirable when the throttle valve 49 is closed, and/or when the heat storage in the receiver 51 is low and in need of replenishment. It will thus be noted that the receiver 51 can be charged either by high pressure steam directly from the main steam line and/or by exhaust steam from the prime mover 48. The heat exchanger 23 removes superheat from the steam passing therethrough so that under normal conditions only saturated steam is delivered to the receiver 51. Excess pressure in the receiver 51 will be automatically relieved through a pressure relief valve 59.

The exhaust steam from the prime mover 48 may also be discharged from the pipe line 50 through a pipe line 57 controlled by a valve 58 to a main exhaust pipe line 59 leading through the reheater 21 to the atmosphere.

Saturated steam from the receiver 51 normally is delivered through a pipe line 60 to a low pressure steam consumer, such as the low pressure cylinder 61 of a compound steam engine. Interposed in this steam line, in the order named, are a reheater 62, a check valve 63 for preventing a back flow of steam from the consumer 61 to the receiver 51, and two throttle valves 64-64 for controlling the supply of low pressure steam to the consumer. T he exhaust steam from the low pressure consumer 61 is discharged to the pipe line 59.

Means is provided for delivering steam from the low pressure supply pipe 60 to the high pressure prime mover 48, or from the high pressure supply pipe 47 to the low pressure prime mover 61. This means comprises a pipe line 65 which connects the lines 47 and 60 at points between the throttle valves 49 and 49 and 64 and 64*. Interposed in the pipe line 65 are a throttle valve 66 and a pressure reducing valve 67 which permits steam from the pipe line 47 to pass to the pipe line 60 at the desired pressure. A branch pipe line 68 shunts the reducing valve 67, and includes a check valve 69 which permits low pressure steam from the pipe line 60 to pass to the pipe line 47 Excess steam pressure at the inlet of the low pressure consumer 61 is relieved to the low pressure system through a pipe line 70 provided with a pressure relief valve 71.

Low pressure steam from the pipe line 60 is also utilized to drive the various auxiliaries of the power plant. Thus, the line 60 is connected through a throttle valve 72 to a motor 78 for driving an air compressor 74, through a throttle valve 75 to a motor 76 for driving a head light turbo-generator 77, and through a throttle valve 78 and governor valve 79 to the steam consumer 19 for driving the feed pumps 16 and 26. The motors 73 and 76 exhaust into the pipe line 59.

I The operation will now be briefly described.

In starting the plant from a cold condition, the receiver 51 is charged with round house steam. The valve 49 is closed and the valve is open. When a pressure of approximately 7 0 lbs. per square inch is reached in the receiver 51, the throttle valve 78 is partially opened to operate the auxiliary engine 19 and thereby the feed Water pumps 16 and 26 at a slow speed. Feed Water Will be pumped through the boiler 10, the superheater 44 and the valve 55 into the receiver 51. As soon as steam is beinggenerated in the boiler lO, the throttle valve 7 8 is opened completely to drive the auxiliary engine 19 at full speed. 1

When the plant is not in use, the entire output of steam is delivered through the valve 55 to the receiver 51 Where it is stored. To operate the prime movers as a compound engine, the valves 49, 49, 50, 64 and 64 are opened, and the valves 58 and 66 are closed. Steam at high pressure, say for example, 1405 lbs. per square inch, is delivered to the high pressure cylinder 48. The exhaust from the cylinder 48 is delivered to the receiver 51. Steam at a lOW pressure, say for example, 285 lbs. per square inch, is delivered to the low pressure cylinder 61 Which exhaust into the pipe line 59. Excess steam in the pipe line 47 is relieved through the pressure relief valve 55 directly to the receiver 51.

To operate the prime movers as simple engines on high pressure steam from the boiler 10, which may be desirable when the pressure in the receiver 51 is very lOW or When very heavy loads are to be taken care of, the valves 49, 49, 58, 64 and 66 are opened, and the valves 50 and 64, are closed. Steam from the pipe line 47 is then delivered to the cylinder 48, and through the pressure reducing valve 69 at the desired pressure to the cylinder 61. The exhaust steam from both cylinders is delivered directly to the pipe line 59. If the pressure in the receiver 51 is loW, the valve O may be opened and the valve 58 may be closed to deliver the exhaust steam from the high pressure cylinder 48 to the receiver. Excess pressure at the inlet of the cylinder 61 Will be automatically relieved through the valve 71 to the lOW pressure system. To operate the high pressure prime mover alone on steam directly from the boiler 10, the valve 66 is closed; and tooperate the low pressure prime mover aloneonsteam directly from the boiler the valve 49 is closed and the valve 66 is opened.

To operate the prime movers as simple engines on low pressure steam from the receiver 51, Whichinay be desirablewhen the output of the boiler 16 is very low, or when the boiler cannot beoperated due to the presence of the plant in tunnels or buildings Where exhaust fumes are prohibited, the values 49 and are closed, and the valves 49%, 58, 64, 64 and66 are opened. Steam at a low pressure is then delivered from the pipe line through the valves 66, 69, and 49 to the high pressure cylinder 48, and through the valve 64 to the low pressure cylinder 61.

Both cylinders exhaust to the exhaust line 59.

To operate the high pressure prime mover alone on lOW pressure steam, the valve 64 is closed. To operate the low pressure prime mover alone on low pressure steam, the valve 66 is closed and the valve 64 is opened. When operating on steam from the receiver 51, the plant can be considered as a fireless plant.

It will be evident that the plant has a very flexible power arrangement so that loads of any size, fluctuating over a Wide range, can be taken care 01. The receiver 51 is available to provide steam in excess of that generated in the boiler 10 at any given time to meet peak loads. The output of the boiler is utilized at all times, i. e., is either used in driving the steam consumers or is being stored in the receiver 51 to meet future demands.

By a proper manipulation of valves in the steam pipe lines, high pressure steam may be supplied to either or both of the prime movers, or loW pressure steam may be supplied to either or both of the prime movers, or high pressure steam may be supplied to the high pressure prime mover and low pressure steam may be supplied to the low pressure prime HlOVOl'.

lVe claim as our invention:

1. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a main steam line for supplying high pressure steam to said prime mover, a low pressure prime mover, a steam reservoir connected to the exhaust of said high pressure prime mover, and through a pressure relief valve to said main steam line, a low pressure steam line for supplying steam from said reservoir to the low pressure prime mover, and means for simpling both of said prime movers selectively on either high pressure steam from said main steam line or low pressure steam from said reservoir.

2. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a main steam line for supplying high pressure steam to said prime mover, a low pressure prime mover, a steam reservoir connected to the exhaust of said high pressure prime mover, a low pressure steam line for supplying steam from said reservoir to the low pressure prime mover, means for simpling both of said prime movers on high pressure steam from said main steam line, andmeans in said last mentioned means for reducing the pressure of steam from said high pressure line to said low pressure primemover. I

3. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a main steam line for supplying high pressure steam to said prime mover, a low pressure prime mover, a steam reservoir connected to the exhaust of said high pressure prime mover, a low pressure steam line for supplying steam from said reservoir to the low pressure prime mover, and means for simpling both of said prime movers on low pressure steam from said lowapressure steam line.

4:. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a low pressure prime mover, a source of high pres sure steam, a source of low pressure steam connected to said first mentioned source and the exhaust of said high pressure prime mover, valve means for controlling the supply of steam to said source of low pressure steam, and suitable valve controlled steam supply lines between said sources and said prime movers adapted to supply high pressure steam to either or both of said prime movers, or low pressure steam to either or both of said prime movers, or high pressure steam to said high pressure prime mover and low pressure steam to said low pressure prime mover.

5. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a low pressure prime mover, a source of high pressure steam, a source of low pressure steam,

and suitable valve-controlled steam supply conduits between said sources and said prime movers which may be regulated to supply high pressure steam to either or both of said prime movers, or low pressure steam to either orboth of said prime movers. I i

6. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a

source of high pressure steam.v a low pressure mover, a source .o-flow pressure steam, and interconnected steam supply lines between said sources and said movers, said lines having Valves adjustable to selectively supply high pressure steam to said high pressure prime mover and low pressure steam to said low pressureprime mover, or high pressure steam to both prime movers, or low pressuresteam to both prime movers, or high pressuresteam to said high pressure prime mover only, or low pressure steam to 52nd low pressure prime mover only.

7. A steam power plant having, in'combination, a high pressure primemover, a high pressure steam line to'said prime mover controlled by a throttle valve, a steam reservoir adapted tobe charged by: steam from said high pressureline, a low pressure line having a throttle valve connecting said reservoir to said low pressure prime mover, and a simpling steam line connecting said first mentioned lines at points between said prime movers and said throttle valves, said simpling steam line being controlled by a throttle valve.

8. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a source I of high pressure steam, a low pressure prime mover, asource of'low pressure steam, and

steam supply lines which are controlled by valves adjustable to selectively supply high pressure steam from said high pressure source to said high pressure prime mover and low pressure steam from said low pressure source to said low pressure prime mover, or low pressure steam from said low pressure source to both prime movers.

9. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a high pressure steam line to said prime mover controlled by a throttle valve, a steam reservoir, a low pressure line having a throttle valve connecting said reservoir to said low pressure prime mover, and a simpling steam line connecting said first mentioned lines at points between said prime movers and said throttle valves, said simpling steam line being controlled by a throttle valve and having a forked end, said forked portions being controlled respectively by a pressure reducin" valve for delivering steam from said higl pressure line to said low pressure line, and

a check valve for delivering steam from said low pressure line to said high pressure line.

10. A steam power plant having, in oombination, ahigh pressure prime mover, a high pressure steam line to said prime mover controlled by a throttle valve, a steam reservoir adapted to be charged by steam from said high pressure line, a low pressure line having a throttle valve connecting said reservoir to said low pressure prime mover, and a simpling steam line connecting said first mentioned lines at points between said prime movers and said throttle valves, said simpling steam line being controlled by a throttle valve, and by a pressure reducing valve for delivering steam from said high pressure line to said low pressure line.

11. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a high pressure steam line to said prime mover controlled by a throttle valve, a steam reservoir adapted to be charged by steam from said highpressure line, a low pressure line having a throttle valve connecting said reservoir to said low pressure prime mover, and a simpling steam line connectin said first mentioned lines at points between said prime movers and said throttle valves, said simpling steam line being controlled by a throttle valve, and by a check valve for delivering steam from said low pressure line to said high pressure line.

12. A steam power plant having, in combination, a high pressure prime mover, a

high pressure steam line to said prime mover controlled by a throttle valve, a steam reservoir, an exhaust line from said prime mover having branches one of which leads to said reservoir and the other of which leads to the exhaust, said branches being controlled by valves adjustable to direct the exhaust steam either to said reservoir or to said exhaust, a low pressure line having a throttle valve connecting said reservoir to said low pressure prime mover, and a simpling steam line connecting said first mentioned lines at points 

